this was the theatre I frequented while living in Tampa as a teenager, I went to nearby Chamberlain H.S. sOME OF THE LAST FILMS i SAW THERE WERE “E.T. the Extraterrestrial” and “Poltergeist” in 83'. I also went to the old UA Mission Bell 8, and Northdale Court Cinemas before eventually going to work in theatres myself.

Rivest266, Floriland never became an AMC theatre. It opened under Budco and was later purchased by Cobb who added a third screen. Sometime before closing it again became a Budco theatre although not for very long. When it finally closed as a movie house it became a dinner theatre for a short while and was later absorbed into the Floriland Indoor Flea Market.

Mike, It’s been awhile but I’m finally back on CT. I know what you mean about senior moments since I have at least two every day!

The tax collector’s office in the former Floriland Cinema building may not remain open very much longer. Due to budget cuts most of the government offices located in the former mall have shut down. I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time. Then who knows what the building will house next.

Nick
They used the big theater on the left which might have been 3 not 1 for the shows. That theater had the stage which had a huge screen when it was a movie theater. Thank you for adding Nancy Kulp’s name to the postings. Since I posted my comment in June I coul dnot remember her name. Major senior moment. LOL

Unfortunately the number of seats I listed is an estimate. I had hoped to find an article published about the time the Floriland opened that would have listed the number of seats as well as provided some additional details about the cinemas. But the search was fruitless. I could not find the first article or photo either before or after opening.

In hindsight I would have photographed every theatre in town inside and out had I known they would be gone in just a few years. I did manage to snap a few photos of some local theatres when I realized the buildings could soon be history. I believe I did take at least one outdoor shot of the Floriland some time after closing. If I can find it I’ll post it here.

“A Clockwork Orange” opened first-run at the Florida downtown and the version they ran had a couple scenes showing full frontal nudity so that had to be the X version. It played at the Floriland about a year or so later and I don’t recall any scenes being cut so it was probably the X version as well. The R version probably had the violence trimmed down a bit in addition to any frontal nudity as the violence alone was probably enough to warrant an X rating. It was certainly extreme for the time.

Nick,I can’t believe they booked it in a twin when in those days there were single screen theatres.I told you the story how Universal tricked us ushers and doormen into setting up the big sensurround at the Imperial for “EARTHQUAKE” said we would make $15.00 an hour in 1974 to help install.You know we never saw the first penny! Oh well,that is the theatre business.On new Theatres I have added a bunch tonight,but so far I only see one,CINEMA Six. I wish so bad I had the money to Drive down and see all of you.I hope one day it will happen again,but probably with no Kids.

MikeRogers: When those Sensurround speakers first came on they scared the *#%+! out of me! I had no idea they would be so loud. The seats were vibrating and it even felt like they were shaking. And I remember feeling pressure in my chest. I wonder if anyone died from experiencing Sensurround?! The audience in nearby cinema 1 must’ve thought the roof was falling in had they not known anything about Sensurround.

Nick,Great article as usual.Talking about Charlie and Miss Ollie I bet. Could not believe they would play “EARTHQUAKE” in sensurround in a TWIN theatre!I could see it in a single screen house,but a Twin.Bet the folks watching the other movie were a liitle pissed when the Capital Record Building Fell!LOL. I think You sent me pictures years ago on the Floriland Cinemas. I am wanting for the Ads!

Mike, You’re right again! I had forgotten about that but I now remember the ads for the short-lived dinner theatre when Nancy Kulp appeared in No No Nanette. I’m glad you mentioned it. Interesting that theatre 1 was used for the shows considering it was the smaller theatre. I think there was an article published in the Tribune describing the rennovation from 3 cinemas to a dinner theatre. If I can find it I’ll post it here. I’m wondering how they managed to put a stage in that small theatre without losing seating. There couldn’t have been very much room behind the screen so I’m sure the stage had to expand outward. Did you ever attend the dinner theatre?

Nick
After Budco closed the theaters in 1986, they opened a dinner theater there. The open attraction was No No Nanette with the lady who played Jane hathoway on The Beverly Hillbillies. They used theter 1 for the shows and theaters 2 & 3 were used for a kitchen and seating to eat. The dinner theater unfortunately didn’t last very long.